Its a Wrap!

Each night before you prepare to go to sleep, it is important that you wrap your hair with a scarf in order to protect those tresses. You knew that - I know! Do me, rather yourself, a favor and go grab your scarf. Do you know what fabric was used to make the scarf you wear on your hair to sleep? Did you know that the type of fabric you use on your hair can promote/prevent frizziness, static cling, split ends, tangles and snagles. Read on to find out which fabric is best and which fabric you should cut your ties with.

Cotton

Have you ever worn a bandana to sleep or used one to add a bit of flair to your hair during the day? Although for some it can be a fashion statement, for our hair it is the onsets to a disaster. The form of cotton presented in most fabrics, specifically in scarves used for hair care, are harvested and then woven into yarn or thread to develop cotton cloths. The fibers in the cotton material appear to be tightly organized, however, under a Scanning Electron Microscope the true pattern of cotton is revealed.


Yikes! Contrary to their formation, these finely spun fibers feel soft to the touch. For this reason, and due to the fact that it was once found abundantly across the land, it has been used by several clothing fabrications, bedding companies, furniture developers and even as gauze for health care professionals. And that's where we find why cotton scarves aren't a great choice for use on our hair. Gauze's main purpose is to assist in absorbing a substance, therefore revealing that cotton is a natural absorbancy agent. For our hair, cotton absorbs any natural oils causing it to dry out and defeat our number one goal: Keeping our hair Moisturized!

Polyester

I always think of Pops from Waynan Brothers: white pants, big old, clunky shoes, maybe a vest and a frilly shirt! Cuuute! But that is not the only presentation of polyester. I have a really cute blue dress that is stunning, you wouldn't claim it as old and outdated by the cut of the dress. Most often than not polyester will appear stiff and unforgiving: creating a box shape when your true sillohette is a figure 8! That's because polyestera are synthetic rather than natural fibers; the most common polyesters used to make clothing are thermoplastic. Ever tried ironing a polyester shirt? What happens? It melts. Thermoplastics are polymers that turn to liquid when heated and appears glassy and glossy when frozen.


If you are using a polyester scarf you will notice an increase in static cling and fly away hairs. There is actually a scientific reason for this! As the scarf rubs against your hair, it extracts the moisture from your follicles creating a dry environment. The dry state of your hair as it continuously rubs against the polyester scarf, promotes the scarf to take on + and - electrical charges, which are randomly dispursed amongst your strands. Thus, static electricity therefore causes fly away hairs as your strands repels other strands because they have taken on + and - charges from the scarf.

Satin

When I think of Satin, it reminds me of making placemats for our Thanksgiving day celebration. Satin is created using the weaving system, whereas not every strand is woven. The strands are overlapped and occassionally underlapped which create an interlock that isn't as obtrusive. If this makes sense, the fabric is created so that the fibers, for the most part, are in the same directions. Ultimately, satin's structure is smooth and soft similar to it's feel.


Satin pillowcases have been proven to extend the longevity of hair which in return, keeps your little fingers out of your hair! Goal! With the understanding that satin is woven to create a smooth surface, as the hair comes in contact with this fabric is it not snagged or tangled in the fabric. Instead, the hair follicles are allowed to move freely across the surface of this material. Purchasing a satin pillowcase can serve the same purpose of a satin hair scarf pus a few offer benefits!

Silk

Many of you have asked about how to reduce frizziness, how to ensure your hair stays moisturized and to promote growth. First, growth will happen when it does and it's retention that helps you to see "growth" With that, all three of these challeneges can be combatted by using a silk scarf. Frizziness occures when our hair lacks moisturization and likewise with retention: hair is more prone to break if it is dry. Silk is composed of amino acids! Remember amino acids make up protein and our hair is the protein keratin. Therfore, through the use of a silk scarf you are "adding" proteins to your hair.


Considering silk is a poor conductor, it does not hold electrical charges. This will allow your hair to appear "laid down" and reduce the amount of frizziness you may see with the use of other materials. Unlike cotton, silk has a high tolerance for stretching. When the material stretches, it gives your hair room to move around which creates friction which leads to split ends, breakage, and frizziness. Each night when you "add" proteins to your hair, you are encouraging your follicles to relax as they are not tangled, snagged, or dried out due to the material used.